Solvent-borne, Speciality Additive, Wetting & Levelling Agent

VP 7377 Fluorine Modified Acrylate Levelling agent

The 7377 Fluorine Modified Acrylate Leveling Agent is a high-performance surface additive engineered specifically for solvent-based and radiation-cured coating systems. By integrating fluorine atoms into a polyacrylate backbone, this agent significantly lowers the surface tension of liquid coatings, ensuring superior substrate wetting and the elimination of surface defects such as craters, pinholes, and fisheyes. Unlike standard silicone-based leveling agents, the 7377 grade provides exceptional anti-crater performance without compromising intercoat adhesion or inducing foam stabilization. It functions by migrating to the air-liquid interface, creating a uniform surface tension gradient that facilitates optimal flow and leveling during the drying or curing phase. Its chemical stability makes it highly effective in demanding industrial applications, including high-solid systems and automotive coatings. Furthermore, the 7377 additive enhances surface slip and mar resistance, contributing to a high-gloss, defect-free finish. Its versatility across various resin chemistries, including epoxy, polyester, and polyurethane, establishes it as a critical industrial component.

Attributes

Key Features and Benefits

Superior Surface Tension Reduction: Drastically lowers surface tension to improve wetting on difficult, low-energy substrates.
Anti-Crater Efficiency: Effectively prevents craters, fisheyes, and crawling caused by substrate contamination or airborne pollutants.
Excellent Intercoat Adhesion: Unlike silicone additives, it does not interfere with the adhesion of subsequent coating layers.
High Clarity: Maintains exceptional optical transparency in clearcoats without inducing haze.
Versatile Compatibility: Works seamlessly with UV-curable, solvent-borne, and high-solid resin systems.
Enhanced Surface Aesthetics: Provides a smooth, high-gloss finish with improved flow and leveling properties, minimizing orange peel effects.

Specifications

Technical Highlights

Chemical Composition: Fluorine-modified polyacrylate copolymer dissolved in aromatic hydrocarbon or ester-based solvents.
Active Content: Typically ranges between 50% to 70% non-volatile matter for concentrated performance efficiency.
Dynamic Surface Tension: Rapidly equilibrates surface tension during high-speed application processes like spray or roller coating.
Thermal Stability: Maintains performance integrity at high baking temperatures common in industrial coil and automotive OEM coatings.
Low Dosage Requirements: Highly effective at concentrations as low as 0.1% to 1.0% based on total formulation weight.
Chemical Inertness: Does not react with crosslinkers, ensuring long-term shelf stability.

Download Technical Data Sheet (TDS)

Practical industry uses

Applications

Automotive Coatings: Ideal for OEM primers, basecoats, and clearcoats to ensure a mirror-like, defect-free finish.
UV-Curable Systems: Prevents surface defects in high-speed UV screen inks, overprint varnishes, and electronic protective coatings.
Wood Finishes: Improves wetting and leveling in solvent-based polyurethane and nitrocellulose lacquers for high-end furniture.
Industrial Metal Coatings: Utilized in coil coatings and heavy-duty machinery paints to prevent crawling on oily surfaces.
Plastic Coatings: Enhances adhesion and flow on low-energy plastic substrates used in mobile phones and consumer electronics.
Architectural Paints: Provides superior leveling for high-gloss enamel paints.